It is estimated as many as 15% of visits to A&E is related to excessive drinking, with the figure soaring to around 70% on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mr Stevens accused partygoers of putting the health service under strain, saying: "I've seen first-hand how paramedics and A&Es are being called on to deal with drunk and aggressive behaviour.

"When the health service is pulling out all the stops to care for sick and vulnerable patients who rightly and genuinely need our support, it's frankly selfish when ambulance paramedics and A&E nurses have to be diverted to looking after revellers who have overindulged.